Isaiah, read chapter 1 verses 1 – 31.
Isaiah, a prophet who speaks for God, prophesied to the eighth century Israelites giving them a message of condemnation and redemption. He pronounced judgment on their immoral and idolatrous lifestyle. Basically he stated, in various verses, that “the ox knows its owner but Israel does not” (know God) and “the children are corrupters!” “They have forsaken the Lord.” Other verses that are appropriate for this blog are “The whole head is sick. And the whole heart faints.” “There is no soundness in it.” And “Bring no more futile sacrifices;”
He also talks about the consequences of their rebellion when he states “When you spread out your hands, I will hide my eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, I will not hear.”
Then as usual, God in His infinite Grace tells the fallen ones how to save themselves. “Wash yourselves and make yourselves clean; Put away the evils of your doings from before My eyes.” “Cease to do evil, learn to do good;” “If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good fruit of the land; But if you refuse and rebel, You shall be devoured by the sword; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” The remaining prophecies go on until verse 31. In reading chapter one on Isaiah, the Lord makes it clear the seriousness of their (and our) rebellion and the consequences they (we) face both positive and negative.
Millenniums have gone by but the problem of sin and rebellion along with the promise of forgiveness and restoration to those who repent are still present and available to all.
Even though it is a season of joy and excitement as we Christians celebrate the birth of our Lord I feel it is a time of great seriousness and a season in our faith walk that we should take seriously. If we have eyes to see and ears that hear we must acknowledge the increasing sinful condition of the world around us and the many prophecies that are being fulfilled as we edge close to the end of times as proclaimed in scripture.
It is important that we “be ready” as stated in Matthew 24:44, “so you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” Then we are called to; be watchful, stand firm, and be strong; 1 Corinthians 16:13 “Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.”
That’s not all, we are called to test everything “1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 “… but test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.” When we know what God’s good, perfect and pleasing will is (Romans 12:2) we will know what to do: (Eph. 6:10-11) submit to God, (James 4:12).
Why should we take scripture more seriously than we did in the past? Check out the end times prophecies’ and compare them to what is going on today. Look at the condition of the world and the direction it is heading. Observe what is happening to our children as they are indoctrinated into many types of sexual perversion and told it is normal, the acceptance by many that truth is subjective, and if you “just love” it will cover all sins. Then there is the crumbling of the church (both organizations and the flock) as all types of sin and the erasing and diluting of the commands of Jesus are taking place in all denominations and faiths. Even the organizations that are teaching a different gospel are sliding further away from His truths.
Just a few examples of the depravity surrounding us today are;
https://townhall.com/tipsheet/miacathell/2022/12/13/white-house-drag-queen-n2617082 Depravity promoted by our president’s administration.
https://disntr.com/2022/10/20/pope-appoints-atheist-pro-abortion-extremist-to-vaticans-pro-life-pontifical-academy-for-life-organization/ Catholic Pope and pro-abortion appointee.
https://disntr.com/2022/09/26/young-children-rub-crotch-of-drag-queens-and-give-dollar-bills-to-them-at-chattanooga-lgbtq-pride-event/?w3tc_note=flush_all Parents taking their little children to see and be part of depraved sexual activities and calling it fun.
https://disntr.com/2022/12/02/evangelical-megachurch-pastor-baptizes-unrepentant-lesbian-couple-says-they-are-sisters-in-jesus/?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email Pastors inviting unrepentant sinners to be baptized and become sisters in the church.
https://disntr.com/2022/10/21/francis-chan-says-that-the-holy-spirit-is-moving-baptists-pentecostals-and-catholics-to-worship-together/ The acceptance of faiths that preach a different gospel in contradiction to the commands of Jesus.
And the above is just a small sample of the falling away, sliding into depravity, acceptance of sin, and the disregard of what Jesus calls us to become and do.
Why did I post this type of article at Christmas when there is supposed to be joy, happiness, gift giving, and celebration during this season? It is because too many Christians seem to be distant from their first love, Jesus. The celebrations, gift giving, gatherings, and joy seem to mostly be centered on people: family, close friends, neighbors, work associates. Many spend more of their time doing secular activities than they do considering what the real “reason for the season” is. We seem to mention and honor the baby Jesus in passing.
What can we do about it? How can we change? Can we give a gift to God who has everything and needs nothing? The answer may be simple. I think we can give Jesus a gift; it is the gift of obedience to His word in appreciation of what He did for us so we could have salvation. 1 Timothy 2:3-4, “This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.”
During the Christmas season give 90% of your time and energy to being the light you are supposed to be so others will see the love you have for our Lord and the other 10% to cultural activities. Give family, friends and even strangers the gift of your undivided time and attention. Anything you give, give from the heart and freely and not because someone gave you something last year and you feel the need to reciprocate. Be genuine, mend fences with those you are estranged (and probably for a minor reason), and strive to be sincere in all you do, being an extension of the Lord, who we say we serve and believe in.
A season of joy, peace and goodwill toward men at Christmas? I say no, we are blessed daily and should strive to have the attitude of joy, peace and goodwill toward men every day and not just focus on remembering it when the season comes around.
Let’s get serious and show Jesus that we can be the children, the light, the adopted, the blessed, the obedient, and the redeemed, He has called and desires us to be! All the time and not just in season.
Blessings, Dennis
Manos de Dios, Hands of God Ministries 